LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * TV licence fee to rise in line with inflation to provide the BBC with stable financial footing to deliver for audiences and support the wider creative industries * The government continues the Charter Review Green Paper public consultation on options for BBC future funding * Support for households in severe financial difficulty is available and free licences for over-75s on Pension Credit The increase follows t...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * As Ukraine suffers its worst winter in a decade, UK-funded deliveries of generators, hygiene kits and other vital components are providing urgently-needed assistance in response to the dire humanitarian situation * With the latest trilateral peace talks set to begin in the UAE, the UK has partnered with UNICEF and Ukrainian energy and water suppliers to restore the supply of water and heating to those that need ...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Fowlea Brook Flood Risk Management Scheme in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, is a major upgrade to the town's flood defences that will benefit 333 homes and businesses. The Fowlea Brook runs through the heart of the city and quickly fills up during heavy rainfall. With extreme weather conditions becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, better flood protection was urgently needed. The scheme c...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Two individuals from Essex have been arrested for illegally dumping waste at six locations across Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire, the Environment Agency has announced today (Friday 6 January). In a joint raid earlier this week (Thursday 5 February), Environment Agency officers worked with the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) to arrest a 54 year old male and a 50 year old female, both...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Following the MoJ's response to the consultation paper 'Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform', the statutory instrument (SI) introducing the changes to the Litigators' Graduated Fee Scheme (LGFS) has been laid today and will come into effect for cases with a representation order dated on or after 3 March 2026. What will the increases be? The SI introduces the following changes: * a fixe...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Scott Chapman, of Hereford, had his sentence increased bynearly twoand halfyears after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. The court heard thatScottChapmanbefriendeda14-year-oldgirlhemet online. ScottChapman, who was20-years-oldatthe time, was aware of the girl's agebefore sexuallyabusing the victim on several occasions. Inoneincidentin ...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Valued at £750,000, the sculpture is recognised to be of outstanding artistic quality * Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the sculpture for the nation An export bar has been placed on Michael Rysbrack's sculpture of two 'putti' supporting a column to allow time for a UK buyer to be found. The sculpture was crafted to be one of a pair of chimney pieces, possibly for the...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Commissioner concluded that the MDB Logistics Limited had: * allowed its operator's licence to be used by another entity, * failed to comply with fundamental licence undertakings, * failed to ensure vehicles and drivers were properly managed, * and could no longer be trusted to meet the requirement of good repute. While acknowledging the company's previously clean regulatory history and the open engagement o...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Michael Eldridge Michael has over 30 years' experience in the financial services industry holding a number of senior roles at multi-national corporations. An experienced senior leader in Global Markets/Investment Banking and Custody Operations with specific focus on front office trading and back office operations, operational risk management, governance, regulatory engagement, balance sheet review/growth wind dow...
LONDON, Feb. 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: A month after the Home Secretary threatened visa penalties, Namibia and Angola agreed to cooperate on returns.The Home Secretary hasnowsecuredcooperation fromtheDemocraticRepublic ofCongo (DRC)just weeks after she stripped VIPs and decision makersof preferentialvisatreatment,as well as revoking fast-track visa processing services for all nationals. Within 3 months,cooperation has been secured, and flights are alr...